Is Mario Gabelli in a hiring frame of mind? We are not really sure. Monday's Fortune Street Talk column quoted Mario as saying that "I'm meeting in San Francisco on Friday to talk to someone about being the chief operating officer of our company."

The surprise is that Gabelli already employs a chief operating officer at his asset management shop. That man would be Bruce Alpert. On Wednesday, the MFWire.com called Alpert's office for a follow-up to the Fortune piece (ironically, it turns out he is usually the firms media relations contact). The person who answered the phone said Alpert had no comment on the remark and referred us to Mario Gabelli himself. (Alpert was still in his office, by the way).

"Mr. Gabelli will have to answer those questions," is all she would say.

Gabelli, was of course, traveling (San Francisco perhaps?). A second call to Gabelli's office on Thursday found Gabelli still traveling and no one else able to comment. We are still waiting to see if Alpert stays or goes or if Gabelli was talking about a different company that his asset management shop. 

Stay ahead of the news ... Sign up for our email alerts now
CLICK HERE